Communities

WOMAN SHOT IN WARNER SPRINGS DIES; SISTER CHARGED WITH MURDER

 

Update Sept. 21,2016:  Sheriff's Homicide Detectives have arrested Sandra Leigh Stoneburner, who lived at the Camino San Ignacio address.  She is charged with murder of  the victim,  her sister Carrie Deatherage, 51.

East County News Service

September 17, 2016 (Warner Springs) — A shooting at the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs has left a woman, 51, in grave condition.  A 57-year-old woman has been detained as a “person of interest” at the scene, says Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson.


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LA MESA COUNCIL CANDIDATES OFFER DIFFERING VIEWS ON HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, TRANSIT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MORE

 

By Janis Russell

Hear audio of candidates' response on homelessness by clicking the orange link above

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa)-Last night, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates at the La Mesa Community Center.  Councilmember Kristine Alessio and newcomer Colin Parent participated; Councilmember Ruth Sterling was unable to attend due to surgery on a broken arm.The candidates agreed on some issues, such as helping local businesses thrive, but offered divergent views on others, such as how to address homelessness and transit funding.

Mary England, President/CEO of the Chamber, welcomed attendees. Bill Hammett, a Chamber board member, was moderator for the forum.

Audio: 

audio of candidates' responses on homelessness

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: JOHN LINDEN, HELIX WATER BOARD DIRECTOR

 

You can listen now  to a podcast of our interview by clicking the audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au..., or click "read more" and scroll down for highlights.

By Miriam Raftery

Mark your calendars for our candidate forum with Helix Water Board candidates and Lemon Grove Mayoral candidates on Wednesday, September 21 at the Lemon Grove Library.Meet candidates at 5 p.m. with the forum starting at 5:30.

September 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – John Linden has served on the Helix Water District Board since 2000.  He’s proud of his service and of the Helix district’s long history since its establishment back in the 1880s.  He’s running for reelection in district 1, against three challengers. We sat down for an interview with Linden that originally aired on KNSJ radio.

Audio: 

Interview with John Linden, Helix Water District Director

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LA MESA CANDIDATES’ FORUM SEPT. 28 ALSO INCLUDES KEY INITIATIVES AND ISSUES

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa First United Methodist Church will host a public forum for Mesa City Council candidates and important ballot initiatives.  The forum will be held on September 28th, with a candidates’ meet and greet at 6:30 and the forum beginning at 7 p.m.


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PINE VALLEY MOUNTAIN RIDERS POKER AND OBSTACLE RIDE EXTRAVAGANZA SEPT. 24

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Pine Valley) – You’re invited to saddle up for the Pine Valley Mountain Riders Poker and Obstacle Ride Extravaganza on September 24th at the Windfall Ranch (21800 Japatul Valley Road) in Alpine.  Spectators are also welcome.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY DID THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT MEETINGS WITH RESIDENTS WHEN NONE HAVE OCCURRED?

 

By Jan Hedlun, Potrero resident

Note:  Hedlun sent this on Sept. 14 to San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Boudreau, with copies to Supervisor Dianne Jacob and ECM.  She’s granted permission to run this as an open letter/reader’s editorial.

Re:  Regional Fire Safe Council Meeting/Potrero

September 16, 2016 (Potrero) -- My name is Jan Hedlun and I am a Potrero resident and an elected member of the Potrero Community Planning Group. I was speaking to Bob Buerer who attended the recent Regional Fire Safe Council meeting on Thursday, September 8th who told me something deeply disturbing.


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YEE HAW! COWBOY SWAP MEET: SEPT. 25 IN DESCANSO

 

East County News Service

September 16,2016 (Descanso) – If you’re hankering for some saddles, tack, Western wear or other cowboy gear, mosey on over to a cowboy swap meet at William  Lang Leather Works (formerly McClintock’s Saddle Works at 25077 ViejasBlvd.) in Descanso on Sunday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 1p.m.


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AROUND MT. HELIX: AUTHOR/HISTORIAN JAMES NEWLAND SPEAKS SEPT. 17

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Local author and La Mesa Historical Society President James Newland will make a presentation based on his book "Around Mt. Helix" at the La Mesa branch of the county library (8047 Allison Ave.) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m.



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DUI/DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECKPOINT PLANNED SEP. 24 IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on September 24, 2016, in the 300 block of West Chase between the hours of 8:00 p.m.to 3:00 a.m.


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TWO CHP OFFICERS INJURED IN LAKESIDE COLLISION

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Lakeside) — A Hyundai Accent that was reportedly racing through a  Lakeside neighborhood ran a light at Julian Avenue and Los Coches Road at 1.a.m.,smashing into a California Highway Patrol car. The crash injured six people, including a CHP sergeant and an officer, said CHP spokesman Kevin Pearlstein.


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MT. HELIX PARK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FALL/WINTER EVENTS

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Mt. Helix) – The Mt. Helix Park Foundation announces an array of upcoming events, including Art in the Park camp for kids, Christmas caroling atop Mt. Helix, a GMIA walk up Mt. Helix and more.  Scroll down for details.



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LA MESA: SPECIAL MEETING ON COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY PROGRAM SEPT. 21

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa announces a joint special meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Commission and La Mesa Planning Commission on Wednesday, September 21st at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers (8130 Allison Avenue).   The meeting wil be to consider a presentation on La Mesa adopting a community choice energy program.


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LEMON GROVE POTLUCK SEPT. 24TH

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Meet your neighbors and local business owners at the Lemon Grove community potluck BBQ Saturday, September 24th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lemon Grove Park.


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DEAN DEFENDS FOUNDING MEMBERS OF NEW MERCHANTS GROUP

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 15,2016 (La Mesa) – After receiving a reader’s editorial and a call from another local businessperson critical of the new La Mesa Village Association (LMVA), which ECM recently profiled, ECM reached out to Aaron Dean, LMVA  Chair, to respond.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: IS THE LMVA REALLY A FRESH START?





Regarding your article "new La Mesa Village Association has big ideas for revitalizing city's historic heart"

By Peter Carzis, Owner, Peter’s Gentlemen’s Apparel

Editor's note: Aaron Dean, chair of the new LMVA, spoke with ECM and provided his responses to concerns raised by Carzis and others.  You can read his remarks here.

October 14,2016 (La Mesa)--I attended the first meeting of this new group. They said they want this group to be a "fresh start" in the village, but yet they boast four Founding Members who are officers and directors of the "old" group that owes the taxpayers and the City of La Mesa $47,900.50.  (Per the city clerk, this amount was turned over to collection and none of the debt has been repaid as of today.)


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DRIVER WHO INJURED HIS CHILDREN AND KILLED WOMAN, 21, SUSPECTED OF DRUNK DRIVING

 

East County News Service

September 15, 2016 (Ramona) — A Ramona father who crashed his pick-up truck head-on into a car on Vista Ramona Road Monday afternoon near Old Julian Highway appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, said Officer Kevin Pearlstein with the California Highway Patrol.


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PLANTSTRAVAGANZA AT WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

 

East County News Service

September 15, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden celebrates the fall planting season with the 2016 Fall Plantstravaganza! on Saturday, November 5 from 10am to 2pm, with a special members-only preview sale from 9am to 10am.   Garden memberships may be purchased at the gate.


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WHITEWASH? COUNTY’S BORDER FIRE REPORT IGNORES SERIOUS CONCERNS RAISED BY RESIDENTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Richard Edwords: Harrowing ride along State Route 94 during Border Fire

 

September 15, 2016  (San Diego’s East County) – The County’s Border Fire 2016 After Action Report  presents a review on the regional response to the Border Fire that ignores many serious complaints lodged by rural residents in the fire. The report was written entirely by official agencies and  does not include concerns raised by the public, leading rural planning officials,  residents and a community news editor to contend the county whitewashed their concerns.

 The blaze killed two people , destroyed five homes and left countless animals without care in triple-digit heat while residents were refused access  for days after the fire. While residents praise efforts of firefighters who worked valiantly to prevent worse losses, many feel betrayed by officials in the wake of the Border Fire report and other complaints that residents say have yielded little or no meaningful changes.

The report omits entirely any mention of controversies over the deaths of Potrero residents Jim and Kyrie Keefe,  whose bodies were found by community volunteers.  Agencies praised themselves in the report, while omitting criticisms on issues such as lack of  adequate care for animals stranded in triple-digit heat and inadequate evacuation notifications -- in some cases, just yellow caution tape stuck on mailboxes, with no explanation or direct contact with residents in danger after their phone lines, cell towers and Internet service all  went down in communities such as Potrero and Lake Morena.


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NATURAL GAS LINE BREAK IN LEMON GROVE HALTS TROLLEY

 

East County News Service

September 15, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- At 9:20 a.m., Heartland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to a report of a natural gas line break in the 7700 Block of North Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters determined that a 2” gas line had been severed by construction crews who were using an excavator to dig a trench.


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NEW FIRE ASSESSMENT COULD MEAN LOWER INSURANCE RATES

 

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)-- The San Diego County Fire Authority has reached a milestone.


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MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM: SEPT. 15 IN LA MESA

 

East County News Service

September 14, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a "Meet The Candidates" forum on Thursday, September 15 at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa).

All three candidates for the La Mesa City Councill will be present:  incumbents Ruth Sterling and Kristine Alessio, as well as challengerColin Parent.

This is a great opportunity to meet the candidates who wish to serve you. 


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COUNTY TO PRESENT RECOMMENDING ZONING CHANGES FOR ALPINE, FOREST LANDS INITIATIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS AT SEPT. 22 MEETING

 

East County News Service

September 13, 2016 (Alpine) -- The Forest Conservation Initiative (FCI) Lands General Plan Amendment (GPA) will be on the agenda for the September 22, 2016 meeting of the Alpine Community Planning Group.  This meeting begins at 6:00 pm in the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine. 

 County staff will present the following:


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GOVERNOR SIGNS LANDMARK FARMWORKER OVERTIME BILL

 

AB 1066 will establish an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek standard for California farm workers

East County News Service

September 12, 2016 (Sacramento) -- Legislation authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) to establish overtime standards for farm workers in line with other Californians was signed into law today by the Governor.


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DEER SEASON OPENS IN CALIFORNIA ON SEPT. 17

 

Hunters urged to be fire-safe; lead ammo now illegal in state forests

East County News Service

September 12, 2016 (Sacramento) – If you’re hiking in California forests, you may want to wear bright colors to make sure you can easily be seen.  Deer hunting season opens Saturday, Sept. 17 in most zones in the state.


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COUNTY PROMISES TO CLEAN UP DUMPING IN FLINN SPRINGS AND ADD INSPECTIONS

 

Update Sept. 14,2016:  Today we received this upate from  Ms. Pursglove:  "Hi all, The big pile of trash (mattress, box springs, TV, trash bags) are gone. There are still a few pieces of wood and a lot of trash, long weeds/grasses so I hope more will be done to clean up the area.  At least that big eyesore is gone.  Thanks so much for your help!"

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2016 (Flinn Springs) – After Flinn Springs resident Shaun Pursglove wrote to notify us of repeated illegal dumping on Chimney Rock Lane of items including a mattress, spa tub and trash bags, we contacted Supervisor Jacob’s office.  Within 24 hours, we received the following response from a Jacob staffer:

“I’m told that county Public Works will be reaching out to Shaun directly and will make sure the trash and debris are property disposed. I’m also told it plans to add that location to the list of sites it regularly inspects. Thanks for alerting us about this.”

Below is a copy of Pursglove’s letter of complaint:


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SANTANA HIGH TEACHER NAMED A TEACHER OF THE YEAR COUNTYWIDE

 

East County News Service

September 12, 2016 (Santee) -- An East County teacher is among five San Diego County instructors named teachers of the year.  The winners were nominated by their school districts out of 26,000 teachers countywide and were honored at a ”Salute to Teachers” gala event on Saturday.


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EL CAJON’S DINNER & A CONCERT SEASON FINISHES OCT. 7 WITH COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND MARTY STUART

 

By Robert Gehr

September 12, 2016 (El Cajon) -- John “Marty” Stuart, a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Tennessee and a multiple Grammy awards winner, began his early childhood years with a guitar in hand, and started seriously playing music at just 12 years old.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001

 

By Robert Gehr

September 11, 2016 (El Cajon) -- After attending this year’s emotionally moving 9/11 remembrance ceremony in El Cajon at Centennial Plaza, I decided to share a few thoughts, facts and photos to awaken memories in all of us so we never forget.


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70TH ANNUAL MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOVEMBER 20

 

East County News Service

September 11, 2016 (El Cajon) -The 70th annual Mother Goose Parade will be the Sunday before Thanksgiving.


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HAUNTFEST ON MAIN OCT. 21 IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

September 11, 2016 (El Cajon) - The fifth annual “HauntFest on Main” is from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.


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